London-based Fredriksen, 71, runs Seadrill, one of the world's biggest suppliers of offshore drilling platforms. Norway's richest man, he made his fortune in the Iran-Iraq war when his tankers picked up oil despite the dangers. Today he controls a huge operation that embraces shipping, fish-farming and oil support. Shares in Seadrill have slumped on the back of falling oil prices and it needs to refinance $10bn of debt, while family stakes in 15 companies have fallen to a combined £3bn. His 32-year-old twin daughters, Kathrine and Cecilie, are on the boards of his companies.